Food News

News-Times, The (Danbury, CT), Associated Press

Published
1:00 am EDT, Wednesday, May 31, 2006

WATCH CHEESE MAKERS

Vermont, known for snowy winters and maple syrup, has another claim to fame: as provider of farm-crafted artisan cheeses. And the cheese-making is as easy for visitors to sample as Vermont's other attractions.

Of some 37 artisan cheese producers in the state, about 22 are open to the public, making them interesting goals for a trip to the country.

Touring the dairy farms is a chance to see not just cheese-making processes first hand, but also to take in the environment in which the cheese is crafted - and get to understand the cheese producers' love of the land, their animals, and the small-farm culture.

Among farms you can visit are the Vermont Butter Cheese Co. in Websterville, central Vermont; Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, a national historic site and nonprofit environmental education center located on the shores of Lake Champlain; and Grafton Village Cheese Co. in Grafton, southern Vermont.

A tip for people on the move who want to avoid roadside fast food: updated entries are now available online for "Healthy Highways: The Travelers' Guide to Healthy Eating" (Ceres Press, 2004, $18.95.

The nationwide guide was complied by food writers Nikki and David Goldbeck to help travelers make informed choices about where to eat, shop for food to restock their coolers, or pick up a healthy snack.

The book tallies more than 1,900 health-oriented eateries and natural food stores in all 50 states. Every listing is keyed to state maps and also includes local directions from the nearest highway or main road so travelers can anticipate upcoming locations and plan their stops without concern for getting lost.

Owners of "Healthy Highways" can download a supplement of new discoveries at: